FCC Moves to Improve 911 Reliability in Disasters

In response to “widespread” 911 failures during the derecho windstorm that struck the midwest and east coast in June 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today issued proposed rules to improve the reliability and resiliency of 911 networks. The storm knocked out power and communications lines in six states, affecting 77 public safety answering points (PSAP) covering 3.6 million people. The Bureau found that, “Above and beyond any physical destruction by the derecho, 9-1-1 communications were disrupted in large part because of avoidable planning and system failures, including inadequate physical diversity and a lack of functional backup power in central offices.” The FCC is now asking for comment on its recommendations to provide physical diversity for 911 circuits, maintain telephone company central office back-up power, and to improve network monitoring systems. The FCC says it’s considering a range of programs to enforce any adopted rules, including mandatory reporting, certification of communications providers, compliance reviews and inspections, and setting reliability requirements. The commission also proposes to clarify its current rules for 911 service providers to notify PSAPs of significant outages. They proposed that provider immediately notify PSAPs by telephone and via electronic means, instead of “as soon as possible,” as now required. Read a news story about the effects of the storm on 911, and download (pdf) the FCC’s official derecho after-incident report. that sparked the new proposed rules. Download (pdf) today’s notice and statements from the FCC commissioners. Download (pdf) the full Public Notice here.